---
type: lake
name: "St James Pit"
county: "St. Louis"
nearest_town: "Aurora"
lake_type: "mine pit lake"
acres: 124
max_depth_ft: 381
latitude: 47.53523
longitude: -92.23653
lake_score: 60
dnr_lake_id: "69042800"
url: https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/st-louis-county/st-james-pit
---

# St James Pit

Mine pit lake in St. Louis County, Minnesota, near Aurora

- **Surface Area**: 124 acres
- **Max Depth**: 381 ft
- **Average Depth**: 115 ft
- **Shoreline**: 2.5 miles
- **Water Clarity**: 29 ft
- **Lake Type**: mine pit lake
- **Public Access**: 1 public boat launch (concrete)
- **Lake Score**: 60/100 (composite of public data, not a visitor rating)

## About

St James Pit is a 124-acre mine pit lake near Aurora in St. Louis County, Minnesota. It reaches 381 feet at its deepest point, with an average depth of about 115 feet, and has roughly 2.5 miles of shoreline. DNR surveys put average water clarity at about 29 feet, which is exceptionally clear for Minnesota.

Minnesota DNR fisheries surveys list 5 fish species here, including walleye, black crappie, bluegill, and rainbow trout. The DNR has stocking records for the lake, so check the stocking report for the most recent species and year classes. The most recent fisheries survey on file dates to 2024.

There is one public boat launch (concrete surface) managed by the city. The lake is listed as infested with zebra mussel — clean, drain and dry your boat and gear before leaving.

## Access

- **Public access**: 1 public boat launch (concrete)
- **Managed by**: city
- **Launch fee**: Free at DNR public water accesses

## Fishing

- **Species on DNR survey**: 5
- **Stocked**: Yes
- **Last DNR survey**: 2024
- **Special regulations**: No
- **Ice fishing**: Yes

## Activities

Fishing, Ice Fishing, Boating, Paddling

## Amenities

Boat Ramp, Carry-In Access

## Fish Species

Walleye, Black Crappie, Bluegill, Rainbow Trout, White Sucker

## Invasive Species

zebra mussel. Clean, drain and dry boats and gear before leaving.

## Nearby Lakes

- [Sabin Lake (Embarrass Mine)](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/st-louis-county/sabin-lake-embarrass-mine) - 2.1 miles, 156 acres
- [Wynne Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/st-louis-county/wynne-lake) - 3 miles, 279 acres
- [Whitewater Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/st-louis-county/whitewater-lake) - 3.7 miles, 1,212 acres
- [Embarrass Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/st-louis-county/embarrass-lake) - 3.8 miles, 463 acres
- [Colby Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/st-louis-county/colby-lake) - 4.2 miles, 518 acres
- [Sabin Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/st-louis-county/sabin-lake) - 4.5 miles, 312 acres

## Links

- [Directions](https://www.google.com/maps/dir/?api=1&destination=47.53523,-92.23653)
- [Minnesota DNR LakeFinder](https://www.dnr.state.mn.us/lakefind/lake.html?id=69042800)
- [All lakes in St. Louis County](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/st-louis-county)

---
*Source: [MinneLakes.org](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/st-louis-county/st-james-pit)*